Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I keep hearing people say that you cannot grow root crops in AP systems, I think the assumption is people are talking about media restricting growth, if you could suspend the roots of a plant without a tiny net pot could root crops like yams and such grow in DWC or do the just not like being constantly submerged like some plants. I am thinking about a shallow water suspension with a black plastic film to allow the vegetative growth to capture full sun while allowing the root plenty of room to grow. What do you think?

Not quite the same idea as yours, but I'm experimenting with a similar idea with carrots in a media bed. I can't tell you if it will work because it's only just started though. It's somewhat like what you were thinkng, essentially the root of the plant suspended in clear water.

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I think the best way to find out for sure is give it a go and see!

I have tried carrots in aquaponics a few times in a media bed and always get the same result. They tend to develop lots of very fine roots rather than a single large tuber as you would expect in a carrot. My dirt carrots are way better than aquaponics. Good luck I hope you can work out a good method


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That's what I'm thinking will end up happening but I figured I might as well give it a go.

Some folks around here are experimenting with soilless media (sunshine high-porosity will be what I use when I try it) in fabric bags such as Smart Pots... the idea being that the ebb and flow would hydrate the media but it would still allow the root veggies to form normally.

Some root vegetables do just fine, beetroot and raddish for example. Carrots and parsnips not so much.

I know the thread title is "Root crops in DWC" but have you considered a hybrid aquaponics wicking bed . It's where you have a gravel bed at the base with a dirt bed on top and water wicks up from the gravel to the dirt
I haven't looked but I'm sure there is a thread on the forum, somewhere, for you to look at.

I've got some hybrid AP wicking beds - still can't grow carrots and parsnips though can't in soil very well either!

Im just taking a stab in the dark here......

what if you put some pvc piping into the media and put the carrot in there, then its not restricted by the media and should be able to grow freely ?